St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-01
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.
There May be a Collision Between
the Two OH appointments.

Special to the Globe.
JAMESTOWN, Dec. 31.-Things don't
easily run in grooves in Dakota as in the
older communities, especially in matters
that have political phases. The fact that a
man has worn certain party label before
coming to the territory is not a safe basis
for any sort of inference as to his acts after
he becomes a resident of the new, breezy
land. Here is a governor appointed dis
tinctively as Democrat, and for the pur-
pose of securing Democrstic administra-
ton. 1t might be expected that Democrats and
Democratic papers would exhibit the antics
of jnblation, as they feel at last that they
are out of the Republican wilderness and
have Church of their own, with chance
for their opinions and petitions to meet rec
ognition. But Republican editors all over
the territory are shouting the praises of the
new governor before they have fairly got
his name to slip easily on their lips. Their
tatfy has holiday lavishness, and they
could not show more satisfaction of
THE NEW INCUMBENT
had he the stamp of the Maine statesman
Oh him. This is little difficult to
fully account for in a logical way.
There is feeling of relief that is
not voiced over the retirement of Gov.
Pierce, although only pleasant words
are spoken of him-but his position was an
awkward, uncomfortable one, and the pub
lie was sympathetic, with tinge of nerv-
business. ltiss5elsnd on review that his adj
minlStration has been negative rather than
positive. 1t has with eminent tact avoided
collision with any popular current and sang
the praises of Dakota with vocif-
erouSneSs that filled the audible capacity Of
the public ear. His tact was in striking
contrast with the awkward hand-shOwing
of his immediate predecessor. Gov. Ordway
Hence, somehow the theory has material
lied in the general mind that Coy. Pierce
was pretty near a model as an executive
ofhcer. His personal Suavfty and courtesy
and the absence of friction with any inter-
ests, have been the chief factors i'll hushing
the voice OF the carper and critic. Gov.
Church will commence his administration
under favorable auspices. While not long
III the territory, and coming to it with a
commission in his hand. it is understood
that he came to remain and grow up with
the country" and he has had the good for
tune to give the impression on the bench
that he is a man of breadth.
STERN IMPARTIALITY,
and answering integrity. He has had a
chance to show his metal in stamping out
classes of evildoers in certain portions of
his district. There is hardly breath of
criticism or untoward anticipation in any
quarter. Republican papers vie with Dem
Ocratic in welcoming him. Probably they do
not realize that Democratic administration
means the filling of the territorial offices
with Democrats, or that it involves any
material changes in policies. Gov. Church
may make one of the best and most efficient
executives the territory has had. His task
is. however, not likely to be so easy as that
of Gov. Pierce. He will meet legislature
almost unanimously opposed to him politi-
cally, and, perhaps, jealous of division of
authority. There are good many fat
offices to be given out and confirmed by the
upper branch of the legislature. Republl-
cans are not yet familiar with exclusion
from these positions, and may raise issues
with the governor. There is a possibility
of collision with pretended state govern
ment Although the old Republican
leaders have generally been left out of the
legislature, it is not presumed there will
be entire immunity from the schemes and
jobs that have made legislative bodies in
Dakota notorious. There will be
ALL SORTS OF COMBINATIONS
over local, town site, county seat and other
oSIOulOS. 1IlSlS VIII NC ODDOT-
tunities for the display of decision, firmness
and good Judgment on the part of the
executive. The opportunity is such as does
not often come TO man. The marked
success of Gov. Church as the head of the
local administrator of the greatest territory
in population the country has eyer known.
will give him more than provincial repute.
1t will make him the recognized leader of
great party, and open to him i'll due time
the more conspicuous field of activity as a
representative at Washington of the state
that will leap full blown to the rank of a
great state in the Union. A new era is
opening up in the affairs of the territory
The crudeness and looseness of the transit
tional period are giving place to the better
methods of matured political society, and
there is need of men like Gov. Church at
the front. 1t is believed he has fully
taken the situation in his mental grasp and,
like President Cleveland, will illustrate in
the highest degree the truth that public
Office is public trust.n
THE SOUTH STATE.